Nancy Pelosi is not a Catholic

Nancy Pelosi, who is allegedly a member of the Catholic Church is nothing of the sort. During the past year or more she has lied and schemed and has been behind some of the most dirty sleazy backroom deals ever in the Congress of the USA.

It was reported that she went as far as "explaining" what the Catholic Church teaches. The problem is that what Nancy said is not the teaching of the Catholic Church.

As such, Nancy Pelosi has committed some of the grossest violations against the Catholic Church and she should be ex-communicated for what she has done.

It is not just her major sins of lying and cheating, it is not just her hypocrisy, it is the fact that she attempted to misrepresent the teachings of the Catholic Church and in such a way that she has distorted the Truth.

I believe that Catholics should demand that Nancy Pelosi is ex-communicated from the Catholic Church and until she repents (in the real sense of repenting) she should be denied any of the Sacraments of the Church.

What has gone down in the USA over the past 24 hours will live in infamy. There is nothing of precedence or even anything historical about the graft and corruption that preceded that vote.

Now is the time for Catholics to read up about what happened during the period of the Reconstruction and especially the corruption within each state Congress. Then read about the rise of the KuKluxKlan and who was behind the behaviour of the KKK and what was gained out of that intimidation.

Yesterday was one of the most shameful days in the history of the United States of America. Shame on all of those who voted to put Communists in control of the Congress.

The Williamson affair - why ex-communication does not apply

The SSPX bishop Richard Williamson was recently reinstated to the Catholic Church after an ex-communication applied by Pope John Paul II over disciplinary matters concerning the SSPX. This ex-communication was lifted by Pope Benedict in an effort to reconcile the SSPX to the main body of the Catholic Church. If Catholics do not totally understand what took place then how on earth are Protestants, Jews or other interested parties to understand what has taken place.

The issue that has arisen is related to personal remarks made by Williamson. The man is not infallible and what he has stated - I disagree with him totally - is a private opinion that is not related in any way to his role within the Church.

The Catholic Church does not ex-communicate people because of their stated political views, unless those views are diametrically opposed to the moral teachings of the Church. In this case the views expressed, of holocaust denial, even though very repugnant has nothing to do with the moral teachings of the Catholic Church. We need to see the issue of his reinstatement from that point of view.

However, the political views expressed by Richard Williamson about the 6 million Jews and the 2-3 million Catholics who also perished in the Hitler death chambers are very repugnant to the majority of Catholics, including Pope Benedict XVI, a German who was himself opposed to Hitler.

Richard Williamson, in an interview on Swedish TV denied the possibility that so many perished, despite the evidence to the contrary that exists at the concentration camps. It seems that he also denies the fact that so many Catholics and other Christians also died in these same camps. Since we are supposed to have free speech, he is entitled to express:

"I believe that the historical evidence is strongly against -- is hugely against -- 6 million Jews having been deliberately gassed in gas chambers as a deliberate policy of Adolf Hitler," Williamson said recently in an interview with a Swedish television station, which also appeared on various Web sites after its broadcast. "I believe there were no gas chambers."

but Williamson is not an historian, so what evidence has he seen to in fact deny what took place? His claim that there were no gas chambers shows that he has not read the records relating to the existence of the gas chambers, neither has he given any indication that he acknowledges the death of the disabled and weak in German society by gassing at hospitals prior to the outbreak of the second world war, and the travesty against the Jews that took place during that time. It would seem that he did not read the diary of Anne Frank and he dismissed other evidence provided by eyewitnesses to the experiments that took place.

However, the Vatican is taking steps against Williamson over his holocaust denial, and I do believe that these are the correct steps to take:

The Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, has said Williamson will not be allowed to perform priestly functions if he does not recant. He said the pope was unaware of the comments when he rehabilitated Williamson and three other members of the Society of Saint Pius X.

Pope Benedict himself has distanced himself from the views of Williamson. The young Josef Ratzinger was forced to join Hitler Youth, but he did not attend the sessions - he got away with the non-attendance. He displayed extraordinary courage through his own defiance. For Pope Benedict the comments are a searing reminder of the past travesty against Jews from Germany, Poland, Holland, and other European nations.

Do I believe that Williamson should be disciplined? Yes, I believe that the disciplinary measures that are being taken are appropriate. If he is to be ex-communicated again then it needs to be for church disciplinary reasons and not the political reasons behind the present uproar.

I have no doubt that Angela Merkel is a good woman. I have no doubt that she has a Christian background, but she has no understanding of the Catholic Church and her comments and demands are unhelpful. I fully support those who are upset about Williamson's remarks.

Pope Benedict gives response to Muslim Scholars

BBC NEWS | Europe | Pope decries 'religious' violence

Pope Benedict XVI has urged world religious leaders not to allow God's name to be used to justify violence.

He said: "religions must never become vehicles for hatred". He also said that the Catholic Church would continue to seek dialogue to bridge the gap between the cultures:

"In a world wounded by conflicts, where violence is justified in God's name, it's important to repeat that religion can never become a vehicle of hatred, it can never be used in God's name to justify violence," the Pope told the gathering.

"On the contrary, religions can and must offer precious resources to build a peaceful humanity, because they speak about peace in the heart of man.

"With respect for the differences between different religions, we are all called to work for peace and an effective effort to promote reconciliation between peoples."

The Pope highlighted criminal violence in Naples

The Pope also made it clear that he will never budge on traditional Catholic teaching, that Catholicism alone is the one true faith.

Prior to the meeting of religious leaders the Pope celebrated an open air Mass in Naples, but there was a poor turnout for the Mass. Pope Benedict called for a profound renewal in the city of Naples, a city plagued by unemployment and a high crime rate. He singled out the activities of the local mafia of Naples, the organization that controls much of the city's economy.

"How important it is to intensify efforts for a serious strategy of prevention focusing on schools and the workplace and on helping young people spend their free time," the Pope said.

"Everyone must intervene against violence."

Powered by ScribeFire.

Vatican responds to call from Muslim scholars

A top Vatican official has praised the Muslim call for dialogue whilst at the same time saying that there are difficulties in having a real theological debate because they saw the Koran as the literal word of God and would not discuss it in depth.

Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran stated in an interview in the French Catholic daily La Croix, that Christians would have to discuss the curbs on building churches in the Islamic world in any dialogue with the Muslim scholars.

The Cardinal stated that: "Muslims do not accept that one can discuss the Koran in depth because they say it was written by dictation from God. With such an absolute interpretation, it is difficult to discuss the contents of faith."

The fact that Muslims can build mosques in Europe (and elsewhere) while many Islamic states limit or ban church building cannot be ignored. "In limited dialogue among believers, it is fundamental to say what is good for one is good for the other" he said.
Whilst other Christian denominations welcomed the letter from the Muslim scholars, the key to any coordinated response is the Catholic response. It is expected that Pope Benedict will make a response to the appeal from the Muslim scholars when he addresses an interfaith meeting in Naples.

A Miracle sign in the fire?

Is this Pope John Paul II waving from beyond the grave? Vatican TV director says yes | the Daily Mail

The Daily Mail reports on a photograph that was taken during a ceremony in Poland to mark the second anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. The shape of a figure was not present in two previous frames by the same photographer, but this one, which was taken at the moment of the death of Pope John Paul II looks very much like an image of the late Pontiff.

What are we to make of this photograph? Personally, I do not know what to think. I see the fire, and I see the image, and when I see a photograph of the late Pontiff, I can see the resemblance of our well loved Pope JPII. What purpose does such a sign prove? Perhaps it indicates to those who lack faith in God that there is life beyond the grave.

Powered by ScribeFire.

Russian Orthodox patriarch talks of a meeting with pope

Russian Orthodox patriarch talks of a meeting with pope - International Herald Tribune Could it be that at last the Orthodox and the Catholic Church in Rome will be reunited? The signals coming from the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II seems to indicate that there is a good potential for the kind of unity that has been missing for more than 1000 years.

At the start of a visit to France, Patriarch Alexy II, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, also predicted that a meeting with the pope might take place within two years. The two churches must cooperate to combat the rise of same sex marriages and "propaganda in favor of euthanasia and abortion," the patriarch said in an interview with the daily Le Figaro, adding that he had "the same approach" to Europe's lack of spiritual values as Pope Benedict XVI.

The patriarch will also meet with the Catholic Bishops' Conference and President Nicolas Sarkozy. In his interview in Le Figaro, Alexy said that, in terms of a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI, he excluded "nothing." It could happen, "perhaps not in a month but in a year or two."

Hans-Gert Pöttering, president of the European Parliament and a practicing Roman Catholic, described the visit to France and meeting with Sarkozy as "highly significant at the current time," adding, "We need this dialogue if we are to avoid a "clash of civilizations."

Despite the positive message from the patriarch, obstacles could still prevent a meeting with the pope. Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, deputy chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, underlined the problems of "missionary activities among some people belonging to the Catholic Church in Russia and some Greek Catholics in some parts of Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan."

It is sad to think that there are priests underneath Patriarch Alexy II who are still placing obstacles in the way of any unity between the two halves of the Catholic Church. The alleged missionary activities have in fact helped the Orthodox to re-establish themselves after the fall of Communism. It is not really fair to blame the Catholic Church of Rome when in fact the people are hungry for knowledge of God that had been kept away from them for so long. Rather than claiming a false sense of hurt, they should be rejoicing that the people of Russia are returning to the faith. Let us pray for this meeting. It is essential that these two heads of the Church come together for a meeting, and the sooner the better.

Blogged with Flock

Martyr chose God's Kingdom over Hitler

Austrian who opposed the Third Reich is to be beatified next month.

 

Franz Jägerstätter to Be Beatified Next Month

LINZ, Austria, SEPT. 3, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Franz Jägerstätter wrote that he would gladly renounce the rights that came from belonging to the Third Reich in favor of deserving the rights granted by the kingdom of God.
He was killed in 1943 and will be beatified next month.
A husband and father who lived in St. Radegund, Austria, Jägerstätter (1907-1943) voted against the annexation of Austria to Germany in 1938 after many citizens were arrested, tortured and killed.
At the time, he said: "I believe that what took place in the spring of 1938 was not much different from what happened that Holy Thursday 1,900 years ago when the crowd was given a free choice between the innocent Savior and the criminal Barabbas."
In 1943, Jägerstätter, a Third Order Franciscan, refused to join the army, and was thrown into prison after claiming conscientious objection.
While in prison, he kept a journal, writing: "I can easily see that anyone who refuses to acknowledge the Nazi Folk Community and is also unwilling to comply with all the demands of its leaders will thereby forfeit the rights and privileges offered by that nation.
"But it is not much different with God: He who does not obey all the commandments set forth by him and his Church and who is not ready to undergo sacrifices and to fight for his kingdom either -- such one loses every claim and every right under that kingdom.
"Now any one who is able to fight for both kingdoms and stay in good standing in both communities and who is able to obey every command of the Third Reich -- such a man, in my opinion, would be a great magician.
"I, for one, cannot do so. And I definitely prefer to relinquish my rights under the Third Reich and thus make sure of deserving the rights granted under the kingdom of God."
On Aug. 9, 1943, Jägerstätter was taken to Brandenburg where he was executed on the guillotine.
His beatification will take place Oct. 26 in Linz, Austria.

© Innovative Media, Inc.

Benedict XVI says music leads to God

Technorati Tags: Benedict XVI, music, Vatican

Pope Benedict says that music has the power to lead us to the Creator of all harmony.

The Pope said this Tuesday, following a concert he attended in the inner courtyard of the apostolic palace at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.
According to the Vatican press office, the event was organized by the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra as part of the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the archdiocese of that German city.
The Pontiff said that music "has the power to lead us back ... to the Creator of all harmony, creating a resonance within us which is like being in tune with the beauty and truth of God, with the reality which no human knowledge or philosophy can ever express."
Benedict XVI thanked the conductor and members of the orchestra, as well as the event's organizers and promoters. He said the concert was a "gift which I interpret as being the sign of a special bond of affection between the Archdiocese of Bamberg and Peter's successor."
He added: "May your jubilee pilgrimage to the tombs of the apostles […] strengthen your faith and joy in God, that you may become his witnesses in daily life."

Shun disposable love, Pope tells eco-rally - World - smh.com.au

Shun disposable love, Pope tells eco-rally - World - smh.com.au Pope Benedict used an eco-rally to get across a very good point: The beauty of Creation is proof of the existence of God.

Blogged with Flock

The Pen, the Sword and the Pontiff

There is no doubt about the stupidity of the bleeding heart left wing liberal journalists with their mealy-mouthed criticisms of the Regensberg address. One such writer is Madeline Bunting, and her critical article (which showed that this journalist loves to project her own stupidity onto others)against the Regensberg address. This article has been answered by Lee Harris who soundly refutes the nonsense written by Bunting. Lee Harris addresses the following comment:

An elderly Catholic nun has already been killed in Somalia, perhaps in retaliation for the pope's remarks; churches have been attacked in the West Bank. How is this papal stupidity going to play out in countries such as Nigeria, where the tensions between Catholics and Muslims frequently flare into riots and deaths? Or other countries such as Pakistan, where tiny Catholic communities are already beleaguered?" In answer to this rather sarcastic statement about the acumen of Pope Benedict XVI, it seems that Madeline Bunting has made are rather sweeping assumption, one that is challenged by Harris: "Papal stupidity" is strong language. But a few paragraphs before this harsh phrase, Madeleine Bunting has prepared us for it by arguing that "even the most cursory knowledge of dialogue with Islam teaches...that reverence for the Prophet is non-negotiable. What unites all Muslims is a passionate devotion and commitment to protecting the honor of Mohammed." A Pope who did not know that "reverence for the Prophet is non-negotiable" must, therefore, be guilty of egregious stupidity.

The assumption? "reverence for the prophet (mhrih) is non negotiable". It is a statement like that which makes me think that Muslims have raised this sex-pervert, child-molester, thief, murderer, and slave trader to the position of deity. I began to suspect that this was the case when the mindless mobs began their riots over a bunch of cartoons that were good for a laugh and more than likely represented Osama Bin Laden or Nasrallah, than anything resembling Mohammed the child molester.

I will not address the points raised by Harris, because they are all good points, but I disagree when she uses Michael Servetus the arch heretic as an example of someone speaking truth - unfortunately Michael Servetus did not speak the truth and he received a just punishment for the time because of his refusal to recant his heresy. One has to keep in mind that what was uppermost was not so much the fear of criticism but the fear of the heresy spreading and not being able to combat the lie.

What is wrong in Islam, is that people do not have freedom of expression. Anyone who does not toe the line is considered an apostate, and the punishment in the countries where Sharia is practised is death. The majority of the mob who took to the streets cannot even read, and they had no real idea about what was stated. They are never given the opportunity to examine the violent aspects of Islam, and to decide for themselves that the violence must be removed. They have become like mindless idiots as they take to the streets in obedience to their masters, the radical mullahs. We are not even aware of exactly what they were told during the Friday sermons to cause such a ruckus and riots. The mullahs have the ability to stir up the mob and when the mob is stirred up then anything can happen. They only need a slight pretext before they send the mob into a new overdrive.

This is why not only do I agree with Lee Harris, but I have added my own thoughts to a well written article. I believe that there are other issues that Madelaine Bunting has failed to address. I suspect that she has not addressed those issues because the outcome of trying to be honest about Islam for a change goes against the grain of left wing politics.

It is the bleeding hearts, who act as willing fodder for the bull that comes out of the mouths of the alleged moderate Islamic spokesmen that is the real problem here. These are the people who are totally incapable of doing their own independent analysis of what was stated in the Regensberg address, the resulting riots, and for that matter any reporting that comes from the Middle East that concerns the Gaza Strip, Iraq and Afghanistan. These bleeding hearts listen to their masters, take it down word for word, but they do not have the brains to check out whether what they are being told holds the truth. Instead you will get comments such as that of Bunting that shows a journalist who is very self-opiniated but who shows no ability at all when it comes to self-examination, introspection and critical analysis.